Rashid Khan to miss Test cricket until November 2024, confirms Afghanistan Cricket Board

This decision follows the advice of his physician after a back operation last year

PHOTO: AFP

Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan will be unavailable for Test cricket until November 2024, as confirmed by an Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) official on Friday.

This decision follows the advice of his physician after a back operation last year.

Due to this, Rashid will miss the upcoming one-match Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to take place from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. His participation in the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in December, along with three ODIs and as many T20Is, also remains uncertain.

ACB's Chief Executive, Naseeb Khan, shared the news with Cricbuzz, stating, "Following Rashid Khan's back operation last year, his doctors advised him to refrain from participating in long-format cricket, which is Test cricket, for one year."

"We are hoping that he will available for the two Tests against Zimbabwe in December," he added.

Despite recent reports suggesting that Rashid suffered an injury during the Shpageeza Cricket League 2024, Naseeb Khan dismissed these claims, confirming that Rashid is fit and will be available for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates from September 18 to 22.

"We are pleased to report that during the Shpageeza tournament, Rashid did not experience any injuries and successfully completed his matches. He is in good health and will be fully available for the upcoming event against South Africa," he said.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's 20-member preliminary squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand has already arrived in Noida for their preparations.

Afghanistan's preliminary squad:Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad and Yama Arab.